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Fuji Massage busted

A woman who operated a massage parlor in Grand Junction for more than a decade was arrested Thursday on suspicion of prostitution-related crimes.

Police allege 58-year-old Nan O’Reilly, owner of Fuji Oriental Therapy Massage, 762 Horizon Drive, used the business for pimping, racketeering and evading paying taxes, all felony charges. Search warrants for O’Reilly’s business, along with court documents about two other area massage parlors in Mesa County, are sealed as police continue an undercover investigation initiated in February.

O’Reilly, who has owned the massage parlor for 14 years, was in custody at Mesa County Jail on a $250,000 bond Thursday. She also faces misdemeanor charges of keeping a place of prostitution and promoting sexual immorality.

While Grand Junction police executed a search warrant at O’Reilly’s business Thursday, Colorado Springs law enforcement served a search warrant on a home she owns there. Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office wants to seize more than $1 million of O’Reilly’s assets, police said.

Grand Junction Police Department Cmdr. Greg Assenmacher said the investigation was
prompted by multiple complaints of “street walking,” online escort services and other alleged activities at area massage parlors.

“Citizens went for legitimate massages and were propositioned,” Assenmacher said.

Two other massage parlors, identified only as a business on North Avenue and another in Clifton, are included in the investigation, Assenmacher said.

Police said more arrests are pending.

Grand Junction police worked with local, state and federal law enforcement on the prostitution sting, Assenmacher said.

Police have long wanted to conduct a prostitution sting in Grand Junction, Assenmacher said, but they prioritized the effort this year after dedicating an officer to conducting undercover prostitution operations. Police also began noticing an increase in local Internet listings for escort services and the arrival of more storefronts advertising “Oriental massage.”

“I think it’s a quality-of-life issue,” Assenmacher said. “We have enough complaints and concerns. We do hear it all the time.”

Massage therapists must be licensed by April 2009, according to a new state law. Grand Junction city leaders may pass an ordinance regulating massage parlors before that time.